31 Aug Hydract – water hydraulics taken to a new level!

Scale-up Denmark’s Smart Industry center houses a group of high potential growth companies. Hydract is among the candidates and they are working closely with the team in Nupark Management to scale their company. We got the chance to talk to Peter Espersen CEO at Hydract, to give you a sneak peek into the high tech spin-off and their world of water hydraulics.

Describe your company in a few sentences:

Hydract is a high tech spin-off that develop and produce process valves powered by water hydraulics for the sanitary industry (food and pharmaceutical). HYDRACT is a spin-off from KM Rustfri A/S who has been producing fittings and parts for valves and pumps for the sanitary industry since the 1970’ties.

How did you get the idea to start your business?

In 2007 we got the idea that compressed air for powering process valves could be replaced with pressurized water to save energy costs. After 10 years and 4 public funded development projects we are now ready to launch a new generation of process valves with a performance and functionality above and beyond what the industry has seen until now.

How does your product work?

By replacing compressed air with pressurized water, we achieve the fundamental benefit, that water is incompressible while air is not. It means that where air-powered valves cannot keep closed and keep a position because the air is like a spring, a water powered valve has the same precision as a CNC-controlled machine and the power of a hydraulic machine.The fact that we are using water instead of hydraulic oil allow us to enter the food industry and other industries where hygiene is important. Because of the CNC control of the valve we are prepared for future projects pointing at Smart Industries.

Why did you apply for the Scale Up/Smart Industry program?

We needed help to identify and describe our route to market. An extremely important part of our strategy and our business plan. That’s why we applied in the first place.

What impact have your participation in the Scale Up/Smartindustry program had for your growth opportunities?

The coaching and the presentation of a qualified toolbox has been key. That has enabled us, to sharpen our value proposition and our communication towards our customers in the sanitary industry. We have taken the first big steps towards scaling and reaching our full potential, what the future brings is exciting to see.

What is your key learning so far from your journey in the Scale Up/Smartindustry program?

A clear value proposition is extremely important because without that we would be barking up the wrong tree with a message that did not trigger the right motivation at the customer

Pain & gain?

A 10-year development in a SME is pure pain and there is no award for completing the job 99%. The Go to Market plan is the last element that will enable you to complete the last 1% and cross the finish line.

Who’s in your team?

Peter Espersen CEO

Rene Holm Sales

Roy Nielsen R&D

Robert Collins R&D

Where are you located?

In Gammel Rønbjerg close to Skive in Denmark.

Current number of employees:

KM Rustfri employ 70 people of which 4 are working full time on HYDRACT

Year Founded:

KM Rustfri A/S was established in 2009 but dates back to 1974. The spin-off HYDRACT A/S will be established in the autumn of 2017